VIERA, Fla. — There was a time, earlier in his career, when Brad Lidge would show up for his first bullpen session of spring training, reach back and fire off as many max-effort pitches as his arm could handle.

Somewhere along the way, perhaps after he had dealt with some early season arm injuries, Lidge came to realize there might be a better way to prepare himself at spring training.

"I think I had different approaches when I was younger. I tried to come in and build arm strength, the hell with location a lot of times," he said. "But at this point in my career, I know for me it's wise to start with location and then try to tack on the arm strength after that. And I think that's probably true for most people. Sometimes it just takes a few injuries to let you know that's definitely the way to go."

Now injury-free and secure enough to know he's not trying to win a job on the first day of camp, Lidge is putting his smarter approach to work. His bullpen session this morning was perhaps the sharpest one thrown by any member of the Nationals' pitching staff.

Lidge, 35, wasn't lighting up the radar gun — actually, there are no velocity readings at these throwing sessions — but his command wasRead more »

Again, its been said before that he is not what he once was but how many relieve pitchers in our bullpen have thrown the last pitch of a World Series game. That has to count for something.Can't wait!!Go Nats!

And maybe he can teach MPHROD this!Mark Z, is Henry in yet?BTW.. thanks for posting the links to the Kelli interviews. Good to see Stras at least TRY to talk to the media (I know he is uncomfortable with the attention). Hopefully, this means he will actually talk to you guys during the year.

A couple of thoughts from the day – there are so many posts, I just can't keep up with them. First – I thought Strassie looked and sounded nice and comfortable in the interviews. I think he is settling in – good for everyone. So – JZinn has a different pitch we haven't seen yet? Holy moly, Batman! Can't wait! I am already his fan-slave. Stephen who? Brad Lidge his old self? Nice. Think he can give the staff some pointers on how to get their hitters out? Nothing here on the Braun ped situation but I heard his speech – he seems very impassioned and says the word "innocent" incessantly. Is he really a good enough actor to be faking the wounded virgin attitude? He just really seems to be kind of angry and wronged. If he really goes out there to prove everyone wrong he will be a force to be reckoned with.Pretty articulate speaker and never seemed to be juiced up.

Baseball Swami,Braun got off on a technicality. He should fess up and take his medicine. Baseball is going to have some serious issues because of this incident. I am sick of the "cr*p" in baseball caused by players trying to get away with cheating.

Many people believe most baseball athletes are somewhat juiced that is rare to find one that doesn't. They have the money to purchase high-tech ways of masking its use. The dosage isn't as high as it once was in order to effectively mask it … but it may still be there. That's the reality. In baseball it seems as if injuries are the biggest roadblock to keeping talented players from progressing in their chosen career. The careful use of such agents can promote rapid healing … by allowing the muscles to be effectively worked not long after the injury.

nats guy….for crying out loud, he has fessed up. He's never claimed anyone tampered with the sample but his attorneys have proven that the sample COULD have been tampered with. And MLB testing personnel could not swear that the sample was in their COMPLETE control between the time it was taken and when it was tested.There has never been anything in his makeup that remotely suggests he's a user. It's apparent that since testing began, MLB's record was perfect and we all know the sense of perfection will eventually lead to complacency and complacency will lead to mistakes.Thos was bound to happen eventually.

Natsjack in Florida,Now I'm really confused. "fess up" means to confess.When you confess you are admitting you did what you are accused of doing. So, did he "fess up" and admit he did it, or did he deny it?

I was accused of being a juicer and I was blessed with great genetics and worked hard. Never ever used supplements. Too much jealousy sometimes in rushing to judgment.Nope, just too much money. The "natural way" to building large muscle mass is the right way but it takes far longer and requires a deeper commitment. When money is involved its right now right away … money will find a way through even the most rigorous testing …

He said he didn't "juice up," but as far as I know, he didn't explain how the test came back positive. He originally said there was an "explanation," that would exonerate him but he has never given that explanation, at least not in public. (The tester storing the sample in his refrigerator is not an explanation of the positive result.)

MicheleS– I'm at work where I can't watch videos, but I'll grab it when I get home. I always figured those two were just trying to figure out which state to get married in… Don't you think Clipp has an unwritten "no trade" clause in his contract–no trading Storen?

I'm so dumb. I didn't understand the married joke. Thanks for explaining, NatsLady.I was tired of the Braun story the moment it was leaked. I do not care what he did, or even that he got out of the suspension. The Brewers don't play anybody in the NL East until July, so the suspension would have been long over, anyway.+1/2St.

Politicians have taught us to be cynical. I have read enough about Braun to believe there isn't anything in his make up to conclude he was a juicer. Chain of custody is a real issue — just look at how many guys in texas are in jail or dead because of messed up chain of custody. But I digress. I think his "explanation," Natslady, is clear: he believes there was ample time and opportunity for someone to mess with the sample. If he knows he has never used the stuff, then that is the only explanation. I can't make you all believe it. But an innocent person can't prove a negative. I believe him.